Compare the2023 Toyota CorollaVS 2023 Mitsubishi Mirage

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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The Corolla has standard Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats, which use a specially designed seat to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Whiplash Injury Lessening Seats system allows the backrest to travel backwards to cushion the occupants and the headrests move forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Mirage doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The Corolla has a standard Secondary Collision Brake, which automatically applies the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The Mirage doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

The Corolla’s optional blind spot warning system uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. The Mirage doesn’t offer a system to reveal objects in the driver’s blind spots.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the Corolla’s optional rear cross-path warning system uses sensors in the rear to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Mirage doesn’t offer a rear cross-path warning system.

The Corolla’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Mirage doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

The Corolla has standard Safety Connect, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Mirage doesn’t offer a GPS response system, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Corolla and the Mirage have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes and rearview cameras.

The Toyota Corolla weighs 761 to 1055 pounds more than the Mitsubishi Mirage. The NHTSA advises that heavier cars are much safer in collisions than their significantly lighter counterparts. Crosswinds also affect lighter cars more.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does 35 MPH front crash tests on new vehicles. In this test, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla is safer than the Mitsubishi Mirage:

	Corolla	Mirage
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Driver
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	187	362
Neck Injury Risk	27%	40%
Neck Stress	243 lbs.	435 lbs.
Neck Compression	50 lbs.	68 lbs.
Leg Forces (l/r)	330/310 lbs.	291/454 lbs.
	Passenger
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
Neck Injury Risk	27%	43%
Neck Stress	165 lbs.	204 lbs.
Neck Compression	86 lbs.	203 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

A significantly tougher test than their original offset frontal crash test, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety does 40 MPH small overlap frontal offset crash tests. In this test, where only 25% of the total width of the vehicle is struck, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla is safer than the Mirage Hatchback:

	Corolla	Mirage
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	MARGINAL
Restraints	GOOD	MARGINAL
Head Neck Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Peak Head Forces	0 G’s	0 G’s
Chest Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Hip & Thigh Evaluation	GOOD	GOOD
Femur Force R/L	.9/.5 kN	4.9/1.8 kN
Hip & Thigh Injury Risk R/L	0%/0%	3%/0%
Lower Leg Evaluation	GOOD	POOR
Tibia index R/L	.54/.46	1.87/.8

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH and into a post at 20 MPH, results indicate that the Toyota Corolla is safer than the Mitsubishi Mirage:

	Corolla	Mirage
OVERALL STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
	Front Seat
STARS	5 Stars	5 Stars
HIC	92	147
Chest Movement	.9 inches	1.1 inches
Abdominal Force	129 lbs.	177 lbs.
Hip Force	330 lbs.	663 lbs.
	Rear Seat
STARS	5 Stars	4 Stars
HIC	137	628
Spine Acceleration	43 G’s	74 G’s
Hip Force	367 lbs.	715 lbs.
	Into Pole
STARS	5 Stars	2 Stars
Max Damage Depth	12 inches	12 inches
HIC	239	267
Spine Acceleration	32 G’s	52 G’s
Hip Force	623 lbs.	1200 lbs.

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

Instrumented handling tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and analysis of its dimensions indicate that the Corolla is 5.9% less likely to roll over than the Mirage.

For its performance in IIHS driver-side and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, updated side impact, headlight, and daytime pedestrian crash prevention testing, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Corolla the rating of “Top Safety Pick” for 2023, a rating granted to only 53 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Mirage is not a “Top Safety Pick.”

Warranty

The Corolla’s corrosion warranty is unlimited miles longer than the Mirage’s (unlimited vs. 100,000 miles).

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Corolla for 2 years and 25000 miles. Toyota will pay for oil changes, lubrication and any other required maintenance. Mitsubishi doesn’t pay scheduled maintenance for the Mirage.

There are almost 4 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Mitsubishi dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Corolla’s warranty.

Reliability

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Corolla’s reliability 31 points higher than the Mirage.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Corolla second among compact cars in their 2022 Initial Quality Study. The Mirage isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are better in initial quality than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in initial quality. With 54 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mitsubishi is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Mitsubishi vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Mitsubishi is rated lower.

Engine

The Corolla’s 2.0 DOHC 4-cylinder produces 93 more horsepower (169 vs. 76) and 77 lbs.-ft. more torque (151 vs. 74) than the Mirage’s 1.2 DOHC 3-cylinder.

As tested in Car and Driver the Toyota Corolla is faster than the Mitsubishi Mirage:

	Corolla	Mirage
Zero to 60 MPH	7.9 sec	10.9 sec
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start	8.6 sec	11 sec
Quarter Mile	16.2 sec	18.3 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	87 MPH	75 MPH
Top Speed	117 MPH	102 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The Corolla has 4 gallons more fuel capacity than the Mirage (13.2 vs. 9.2 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups.

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the Corolla’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Mirage:

	Corolla	Mirage
Front Rotors	10.8 inches	9 inches
Rear Rotors	10.2 inches	7” drums

The Toyota Corolla has standard four-wheel disc brakes for better stopping power and improved directional control in poor weather. Only rear drums come on the Mirage. Drums can heat up and make stops longer, especially with antilock brakes that work much harder than conventional brakes.

The Corolla stops much shorter than the Mirage:

	Corolla	Mirage
70 to 0 MPH	163 feet	184 feet	Car and Driver

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the Corolla has larger standard tires than the Mirage (205/55R16 vs. 165/65R14). The Corolla SE/XSE’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the Mirage (225/40R18 vs. 175/55R15).

The Corolla’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 55 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Mirage’s standard 65 series tires. The Corolla SE/XSE’s tires have a lower 40 series profile than the Mirage’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Corolla has standard 16-inch wheels. Smaller 14-inch wheels are standard on the Mirage. The Corolla SE/XSE’s 18-inch wheels are larger than the 15-inch wheels optional on the Mirage.

The Toyota Corolla’s wheels have 5 lugs for longer wheel bearing life, less chance of rotor warping and greater strength. The Mitsubishi Mirage only has 4 wheel lugs per wheel.

Suspension and Handling

For superior ride and handling, the Toyota Corolla has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Mitsubishi Mirage has a rear torsion beam axle, with a semi-independent rear suspension.

The Corolla has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the Corolla flat and controlled during cornering. The Mirage’s suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Corolla’s wheelbase is 5.9 inches longer than on the Mirage G4 (106.3 inches vs. 100.4 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Corolla is 3.7 inches wider in the front and 5 inches wider in the rear than the average track on the Mirage.

Passenger Space

The Corolla has .3 inches more front legroom, 5.1 inches more front hip room, 2.3 inches more front shoulder room, .3 inches more rear headroom, 4.6 inches more rear hip room and .5 inches more rear shoulder room than the Mirage G4.

Cargo Capacity

The Corolla has a larger trunk than the Mirage G4 (13.2 vs. 12.4 cubic feet).

The Corolla’s standard rear seats fold to accommodate long and bulky cargo. The Mirage G4 doesn’t offer folding rear seats, only a ski pass-through.

Ergonomics

To help each driver find a more comfortable driving position, the Corolla has a telescoping steering wheel. Much better than just a tilt steering wheel or adjustable seat, this allows a short driver to sit further from the steering wheel while maintaining contact with the pedals. The Mirage doesn’t offer a telescoping steering wheel.

The Corolla’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The Mirage has a lever-type parking brake that has to be strenuously raised to engage properly. It has to be lifted up more and a button depressed to release it.

The power windows standard on both the Corolla and the Mirage have locks to prevent small children from operating them. When the lock on the Corolla is engaged the driver can still operate all of the windows, for instance to close one opened by a child. The Mirage prevents the driver from operating the other windows just as it does the other passengers.

The Corolla’s front and rear power windows all open or close fully with one touch of the switches, making it more convenient at drive-up windows and toll booths, or when talking with someone outside the car. The Mirage’s passenger windows don’t open or close automatically.

If the windows are left open on the Corolla the driver can close them all at the outside door handle. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows at the outside door handle or from a distance using the keyless remote. (This window function must be activated by your Toyota service department.) The driver of the Mirage can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Mirage’s standard power locks don’t automatically lock the doors. The Corolla’s standard doors lock when the transmission is engaged. This is an important feature for occupant safety. Locked doors are proven to open less often in collisions, and they are also effective in preventing crime at traffic lights.

The Corolla’s LED headlights produce a whiter, brighter light (up to 3x) using five times less power than the Mirage’s standard halogen headlights. LED lights also light instantly and last over twenty times longer than halogen. The Corolla’s LED headlights produce a white, bright light using less electricity than the Mirage’s xenon high intensity discharge (HID) headlights. HID headlights can be slow to reach full brightness or power cycle, causing issues when flashing them to signal other vehicles; LED headlights light instantly. LED lights also last about three to four times as long.

The Corolla has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. The Mirage has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the SE/Black Edition.

To help drivers see further while navigating curves, the Corolla XLE/XSE offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle. The Mirage doesn’t offer cornering lights.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Corolla has standard extendable sun visors. The Mirage doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Corolla’s optional outside mirrors include heating elements to clear off the mirrors for better visibility. The Mirage doesn’t offer heated side mirrors.

The Corolla’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest for easy access. The Mirage’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

To keep a safe, consistent following distance, the Corolla has a standard Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which alters the speed of the vehicle without driver intervention. This allows the driver to use cruise control more safely without constantly having to disengage it when approaching slower traffic. The Mirage doesn’t offer an adaptive cruise control.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Corolla XSE offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Mirage doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Model Availability

The Toyota Corolla comes in sedan, four door hatchback and four door bodystyles; the Mitsubishi Mirage isn’t available as a four door hatchback.

Economic Advantages

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Corolla is less expensive to operate than the Mirage because it costs $64 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Corolla than the Mirage, including $183 less for a water pump, $10 less for a muffler, $33 less for front brake pads, $87 less for a starter, $38 less for front struts and $692 less for a power steering pump.

Recommendations

Consumer Reports® recommends the Toyota Corolla, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Toyota Corolla outsold the Mitsubishi Mirage by almost 18 to one during 2022.